Patient Group Meeting Minutes

Welcome and apologies

Apologies were noted from: Jane Armstrong, Kate Butler, Mike Keenan, Margaret Tatham, Liz Murphy

Elizabeth has contacted Ian Aldridge but is unsure her emails have reached him.

Sharon agreed to take minutes on this occasion in Jane’s absence.

Attendance

Elizabeth Grigg (chair), Liz Blazey, Phil Keenan, Sandra Wilson, Izzy Sylvester, Sharon Rowe, Dr Ross Ganner.

Review Meeting Minutes and Sign Minutes for Website

A few amendments were noted for the minutes.  This is required so they are easy to comprehend for anyone not present at the meeting.
Sharon will make the amendments for Elizabeth to sign off.

Practice Update

Patient list size – 10,715 patients.

Recruitment to team – our Patient Care Coordinator (Safeguarding) has moved on to a new role and we are recruiting to the post.  Interviews were conducted today.  We are recruiting two part-time receptionists to join our team due to a member of staff moving into a different role in the practice.

Village Agent Update

The cost of living crisis is having an impact.  Research is being conducted into residents reliant on LPG and oil to heat homes so this can be reported to the local authority.  Oil has almost doubled in price already.  Please inform Izzy if you know of anyone in the area on a low income who is reliant on LPG and oil.

New tenancy laws – these are having an impact on the availability of homes for rent as landlords are selling their properties.

Food Champion – Izzy is working with public health as a ‘Food Champion’ to support promotion of healthy eating in the community.  The challenges of this in a cost of living crisis were noted.

Update from the PPG Chairs Meeting

Patient involvement in strategic planning – there is an insistence on this at ICB (Integrated Care Board) level but no evidence as to how this will be achieved.  Patient groups used to have a place on the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) but not since the change to ICB.  Healthwatch and the voluntary sector had representation but these organisations do not represent patients.  Healthwatch has no place on the ICB cluster board and will no longer have this at Somerset level.  A letter has been sent to Sir Jim Mackey, CEO of NHS England.  An acknowledgment was received but no reply and this was six months ago.  A letter has been received from Jonathan Higman, Chief Executive of Somerset ICB, but this was felt to be unsatisfactory and a reply is being drafted.

Elizabeth mentioned two consultation documents which have been circulated to members of the West Somerset PPG:

1. Adult Social Care Strategy
2. Somerset Council Public Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The deadlines for responses to these are approaching.

Somerset NHS FT Update

Nothing to report in Kate’s absence.

Dementia Alliance Watchet/other update

Nothing to report in Margaret’s absence 

Forthcoming PPG Event 27 June Action to Date

A meeting was held last Friday.  Laura Giles attended from the PCN to report back to the Living Better team and arrange for the attendance of health coaches and other relevant team.  Elizabeth has made contact with the vaccination and immunisation team contact which was passed on to her.  Sharon said she has had contact from the ICB’s digital team to say they will not be able to attend due to annual leave.

Date of next event planning meeting – Wednesday 01 April 2026, Williton Surgery, 10am

Feedback from patients 

Nothing to report.

Any other business

Sandra Wilson – wanted to say thank you to the surgery, and for this to be noted in the minutes, for the bereavement card she received upon the death of her father.

Phil Keenan – query regarding RSV vaccinations – Sharon confirmed that these will continue to be offered to older adults (over 75 years of age) and the current age limit (80 years) is due to be lifted from 01 April 2026.

Date of the next meeting

Thursday 11 June 2026, at Williton Surgery, at 5pm.  Kate has a guest to invite.